Method and apparatus for performing transmission

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of performing transmission between a base station and a terminal device according to a frame structure over an unlicensed spectrum in a wireless network that supports communications over both a licensed spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum. The method comprises signaling information indicating the frame structure and performing transmission between the base station and the terminal device on an unlicensed carrier in the unlicensed spectrum according to the frame structure. There is also provided the corresponding apparatus.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The non-limiting and exemplary embodiments of the present disclosuregenerally relate to wireless communications, and specifically to amethod and an apparatus for performing transmission according to a framestructure over an unlicensed spectrum in a wireless network thatsupports communications over both a licensed spectrum and the unlicensedspectrum.

BACKGROUND

This section introduces aspects that may facilitate better understandingof the present disclosure. Accordingly, the statements of this sectionare to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissionsabout what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior art.

The fast uptake of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)-LongTerm Evolution (LTE) in different regions of the world shows theincreasing demand for wireless broadband data. In order to meet the everincreasing data traffic demand from users, particularly in concentratedhigh traffic buildings or hot spots, more mobile broadband bandwidthwill be needed. Given a large amount of spectrum available in unlicensedbands around the globe, the unlicensed spectrum is more and moreconsidered by cellular operators as complementary means to augment theirservice offering. While the unlicensed spectrum may not match thequalities of the licensed regime, solutions that allow an efficient useof it as a complement to licensed deployments have a potential to bringa great value to mobile operators, and ultimately to the mobile industryas a whole. This type of solutions would enable operators and vendors toleverage the existing or planned investments in LTE/Evolved Package Core(EPC) hardware in radio and core networks.

It has been agreed to study Licensed-Assisted Access (LAA) technologiesin the 3GPP at RP-141664. This LAA framework builds on carrieraggregation solutions introduced in LTE Release-10 to access additionalbandwidth in the unlicensed spectrum and thus supports coexistence ofdifferent radio technologies, such as LTE and Wi-Fi. FIG. 1 shows anillustrative network that configures a user equipment, UE, to aggregatea secondary cell (SCell) which is using an unlicensed carrier in theunlicensed spectrum. The primary cell (PCell) may maintain exchange ofessential control messages and offer real-time and high-value trafficover the licensed spectrum. Via the robust licensed spectrum, the PCellmay also provide mobility handling and management for the UE. Theaggregated SCells in the unlicensed spectrum, when available, can beutilized as a bandwidth booster to serve the best effort traffic. TheLAA SCells may operate in downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) or both.

However, due to the uncertainty of resource availability on unlicensedcarriers, direct application of the existing frame structure in LTEsystems to LAA systems may cause some problems, e.g. unexpected resourcewaste or transmission delay etc. Although some solutions to the framestructure applicable to LAA systems have been proposed, there is no amethod to indicate such frame structure between communicating parties,e.g. from a base station to a terminal device or vice versa so that DLand/or UL transmission can be performed between the base station and theterminal device over the unlicensed spectrum according to that framestructure.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure mainly aim at providing asolution for indicating a frame structure applicable to wirelessnetworks that support communications over licensed and unlicensedspectrums so that transmission can be performed between a base stationand a terminal device over the unlicensed spectrum according to theframe structure. Other features and advantages of embodiments of thepresent disclosure will also be understood from the followingdescription of specific embodiments when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate the principles of embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a methodof performing transmission between a base station and a terminal deviceaccording to a frame structure over an unlicensed spectrum in a wirelessnetwork that supports communications over both a licensed spectrum andthe unlicensed spectrum. The method comprises signaling informationindicating the frame structure and performing transmission between thebase station and the terminal device on an unlicensed carrier in theunlicensed spectrum according to the frame structure. The method may beperformed at the base station or alternatively performed at the terminaldevice.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided anapparatus of performing transmission between a base station and aterminal device according to a frame structure over an unlicensedspectrum in a wireless network that supports communications over both alicensed spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum. The apparatus comprises asignaling unit that is configured to signal information indicating theframe structure and a transmission performing unit that is configured toperform transmission between the base station and the terminal device onan unlicensed carrier in the unlicensed spectrum according to the framestructure. The apparatus may be embodied at or as at least part of thebase station. The apparatus may alternatively be embodied at or as atleast part of the terminal device.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided anapparatus for performing transmission between a base station and aterminal device according to a frame structure over an unlicensedspectrum in a wireless network that supports communications over both alicensed spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum. The apparatus comprises aprocessor and a memory, said memory containing instructions executableby said processor, whereby said apparatus is operative to perform themethod according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. Theapparatus may be embodied at or as at least part of the base station.The apparatus may alternatively be embodied at or as at least part ofthe terminal device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and benefits of variousembodiments of the present disclosure will become more fully apparentfrom the following detailed description with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative network that configures a UE to aggregate asecondary cell which is using an unlicensed carrier in an unlicensedspectrum;

FIG. 2 illustrates three conceptual frame structures corresponding tothree transmission cases;

FIG. 3 illustrates three specific examples corresponding respectively tothe three frame structures in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for performing transmissionaccording to a frame structure over an unlicensed spectrum according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of how to reduce the number of bits forindicating information on the start of the initial signal according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an apparatus forperforming transmission according to a frame structure over anunlicensed spectrum in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic block diagram of another apparatus forperforming transmission according to a frame structure over anunlicensed spectrum in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the principle and spirit of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to illustrative embodiments. It should beunderstood, all these embodiments are given merely for one skilled inthe art to better understand and further practice the presentdisclosure, but not for limiting the scope of the present disclosure.For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodimentmay be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment.In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementationare described in this specification.

References in the specification to “an embodiment,” “anotherembodiment,” “a further embodiment,” etc. indicate that the embodimentdescribed may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within theknowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure,or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or notexplicitly described.

It shall be understood that, although the terms “first” and “second”etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used todistinguish one element from another. For example, a first element couldbe termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could betermed a first element, without departing from the scope of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed terms.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to limit the embodiments. As usedherein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”,“comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and/or “including”, when usedherein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/orcomponents etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one ormore other features, elements, components and/or combinations thereof.

In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, alltechnical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning ascommonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which thisdisclosure belongs. For example, the term “base station” (BS), usedherein may also be referred to as e.g. eNB, eNodeB, NodeB or basetransceiver station (BTS), Access Node (AN) or Access Point (AP) etc.depending on the technology and terminology used. Likewise, the term“terminal device” or UE used herein may refer to any terminal havingwireless communications capabilities, including but not limited to,mobile phones, cellular phones, smart phones, or personal digitalassistants (PDAs), portable computers, image capture devices such asdigital cameras, gaming devices, music storage and playback appliancesand any portable units or terminals that have wireless communicationscapabilities, or Internet appliances permitting wireless Internet accessand browsing and the like. In this document, the terms “terminal device”and “UE” will be used interchangeably.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be applicable to any wirelessnetwork that supports communications over both a licensed spectrum andan unlicensed spectrum, including but not limited to an LAA network. Inorder to simplify the following description, the LAA network will beused as an illustrative example of the wireless network that supportscommunications over both a licensed spectrum and an unlicensed spectrum,which however will not constitute a limitation to the presentdisclosure.

In general, transmission performed over the unlicensed spectrumaccording to a frame structure applicable to LAA networks may compriseat least one of DL transmission and UL transmission. In other words,frame structures applicable to LAA networks may be divided threeclasses: 1) DL-only: the frame structure supporting DL transmissiononly, 2) DL+UL: the frame structure supporting both DL and ULtransmission, and 3) UL-only: the frame structure supporting ULtransmission only. The DL transmission may include transmission of DLcontrol information (which will be referred to as DL controltransmission hereafter), e.g. PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)and DL data transmission, e.g. PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel).Likewise, the UL transmission may include transmission of UL controlinformation (which will be referred to as UL control transmissionhereafter), e.g. PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel) and/or UL datatransmission, e.g. PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel). It shall beappreciated that the use of term “only” herein does not mean there is noother transmission in DL or UL. For example, there may be initial signaltransmission (which will be described later) in DL or UL. However, suchsignal transmission in DL or UL will not be regarded as belonging to theDL transmission or UL transmission in this document.

Due to the sharing property of the unlicensed spectrum, there is apossibility that a same transmission resource will be usedsimultaneously by multiple stations, including a base station and aterminal device, and thus a collision may occur. In order to avoid sucha collision, in the existing wireless networks operating in theunlicensed spectrum, e.g. a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) usingWi-Fi technology, a Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) scheme, whichis also referred to as “listen before talk” (LBT), is used to mediatethe access to a transmission resource. All stations, including a basestation and a terminal device, are allowed to access the resource butare required to make sure the resource is not in use by other stationsbefore transmitting.

Likewise, in an LAA network, no matter a base station or a terminaldevice needs to make sure, before transmitting, that the resource to beaccessed on an unlicensed carrier in the unlicensed spectrum is not inuse by other base stations or terminal devices. For example, when thebase station or the terminal device has a packet to transmit on anunlicensed carrier, it may make a clear channel assessment (CCA) checkby performing LBT to obtain an exclusive occupation on the unlicensedcarrier. Since either DL transmission or UL transmission needs to startat a certain position, e.g. a boundary of a predefined symbol or aboundary of a subframe, there usually is a time period after the LBTsucceeds and before the DL or UL transmission is actually performed.During this time period, a signal may be transmitted on the unlicensedcarrier. A main objective of transmission of this signal is to guaranteethat resources on the unlicensed carrier will not be taken by otherusers during this period. Additionally, the transmitted signal may alsocomprise some information for assisting or facilitating transmission onthe unlicensed carrier or for other purposes. In this document, thissignal will be referred to as an initial signal and this time periodwill be referred to as a reservation period. However, it shall beappreciated that other terms may also be used to name said signal andtime period and that any specific terms for naming the signal and timeperiod will not constitute a limitation to that signal and time periodthemselves. Moreover, the resource on the unlicensed carrier may also bereserved through other approaches, but not limited to transmitting theinitial signal.

For better understanding of the present disclosure, three conceptualframe structures corresponding respectively to the above mentioned threeclasses of frame structures are illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2(A) corresponds to the DL-only class. As illustrated, the framestructure of FIG. 2(A) comprises a first group of time resourcescorresponding to the reservation period and a second group of timeresources for DL transmission within an allowed maximum transmissiontime period, which may also be referred to as a transmission opportunity(TXOP). The allowed maximum transmission time period refers to a timeperiod during which no CCA needs to be performed. A person skilled inthe art shall understand that the specific term TXOP for representingthe allowed maximum transmission time period will not constitute alimitation to the meaning of that allowed maximum transmission timeperiod.

FIG. 2(B) corresponds to the DL+UL class. The frame structure of FIG.2(B) comprises a first group of time resources corresponding to thereservation period, a second group of time resources used for DLtransmission and a third group of time resources for UL transmissionwithin a TXOP.

FIG. 2(C) corresponds to the UL-only class. The frame structure of FIG.2(C) comprises a first group of time resources corresponding to thereservation period and a second group of time resources for ULtransmission within a TXOP.

It shall be appreciated that these three frame structures are shownherein only for illustrating some general features of the subframestructure so as to facilitate the following description of the presentdisclosure. Therefore, any specific feature illustrated in this figure,such as the specific order in which various time resources are shown andthe illustrated durations of various time resources, does not constitutea limitation to the present disclosure. Also, the dotted lines used thisfigure means other time resources may or may not exist therein and noparticular limitation is made thereto. A person skilled in the art shallunderstand that the first, second or third time resources may correspondto one or more subframes or symbols or other resource units, howeverwhich one or more subframe(s) or symbols or other resource unitscorrespond to the respective time resources do not constitutelimitations to the present disclosure. Therefore, in this figure,details of subframes or symbols are not illustrated.

FIG. 3 illustrates three specific examples corresponding respectively tothe three frame structures in FIG. 2.

Particularly, FIG. 3(A) shows a specific example of the frame structureof FIG. 2(A). In this example, the frame structure comprises a first setof time resources and four DL subframes in which DL transmission isperformed. A subset of the first set of time resources shown with ahorizontally shaded block corresponds to the first group of timeresources of FIG. 2(A), while the four DL subframes correspond to thesecond group of time resources of FIG. 2(A). According to this framestructure, availability of an unlicensed carrier is first determinedwithin the part shown with a dotted block during the first set of timeresources by using the LBT scheme. Then the subset of the first set oftime resources is reserved till the end of the first set of timeresources. Upon a duration of the reserved subset of times resourceexpires, DL transmission, including DL control transmission and DL datatransmission, is performed in the four consecutive DL subframes.

FIG. 3(B) shows a specific example of the frame structure of FIG. 2(B).In this example, the frame structure comprises a first set of timeresources, one DL subframe in which DL transmission is performed, asubframe comprising a guard period (GP), one UL subframe in which ULtransmission is performed and a second set of timer resources. A subsetof the first set of time resources shown with a horizontally shadedblock corresponds to the first group of time resources of FIG. 2(B). Asum of the partial resources after the subset in the first set of timeresources, the DL subframe, and the partial resources before the GP inthe subframe comprising that GP corresponds to the second group of timeresources of FIG. 2(B). A sum of the partial resources after the GP inthe subframe comprising that GP, the UL subframe and the first half ofthe second set of time resources correspond to the third group of timeresources of FIG. 2(B). According to this frame structure, availabilityof an unlicensed carrier is first performed within the part shown with adotted block during the first set of time resources. Then the subset ofthe first set of time resources is reserved till a start of a certainsymbol in the first set of time resources, as shown with a horizontallyshaded block. Upon the duration of the reserved subset of times resourceexpires, DL transmission, including DL control transmission and DL datatransmission, is performed until the GP is encountered. Afterwards, uponthe duration of the GP expires, UL transmission is performed till theend of TXOP.

FIG. 3(C) shows a specific example of the frame structure of FIG. 2(C).In this example, the frame structure comprises a first set of timeresources, three UL subframes in which UL transmission is performed anda second set of time resources. A subset of the first set of timeresources shown with a horizontally shaded block corresponds to thefirst group of time resources of FIG. 2(C). A sum of the partialresources after the subset in the first set of time resources, the ULsubframes, the partial resources before the GP in the subframecomprising that GP and the first half of the second set of timeresources correspond to the second group of time resources of FIG. 2(C).According to this frame structure, availability of an unlicensed carrieris first determined within the part shown with a dotted block during thefirst set of time resources by using the LBT scheme. Then the subset ofthe first set of time resources is reserved till a start of a certainsymbol in the first set of time resources, as shown with a horizontallyshaded block. Upon the duration of the reserved subset of times resourceexpires, UL transmission, including UL control transmission and/or ULdata transmission, is performed till the end of TXOP.

It shall be appreciated that the numbers of DL or UL subframes and thesubframe comprising GP in FIG. 3 are illustrated only for the purpose ofillustration rather than limiting. Those skilled in the art shallunderstand that these numbers may be changed according to requirementsin actual applications.

Hereafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 4-7.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method 400 for performingtransmission between a base station and a terminal device according to aframe structure over an unlicensed spectrum in a wireless network inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The wirelessnetwork supports communications over both a licensed spectrum and theunlicensed spectrum, which means the base station and the terminaldevice are operable in both the licensed spectrum and the unlicensedspectrum. The transmission may comprise DL transmission and/or ULtransmission. The method 400 may be performed at the base station or atthe terminal device.

In FIG. 4, operations in blocks with a solid line are essential whileoperations in blocks with a broken line are optional depending onvarious implementations of the present disclosure. The description willbe started from the essential operation in block 410.

Particularly, the method 400 starts at step 410, in which informationindicating the frame structure is signalled. Then, according to theframe structure, transmission is performed between the base station andthe terminal device on an unlicensed carrier in the unlicensed spectrum.In an embodiment, the information indicating the frame structure (whichwill be referred to as “indicating information” hereafter) may besignaled on a licensed carrier in the licensed spectrum. In anotherembodiment, the indicating information may be signaled on the unlicensedcarrier.

It is clear that an ultimate goal of indicating the frame structure usedover the unlicensed spectrum is to enable transmission to be performedon an unlicensed carrier in the unlicensed spectrum according to theframe structure. Therefore, information regarding the frame structurewhich is necessary for enabling the transmission on the unlicensedcarrier shall be known to both communicating parties, i.e. the basestation and the terminal device. Such necessary information may bedirectly obtained or indirectly derived from other information. Thus,the necessary information itself and any information from which thenecessary information can be derived may be signalled as the indicatinginformation. The signalling of such information will be detailed withregard to three cases in the following: 1) a DL-only case where only DLtransmission is involved; 2) a DL+UL case wherein both DL and ULtransmission are involved; 3) a UL-only case where only UL transmissionis involved.

For DL-Only Case

In order to achieve the ultimate goal of enabling the transmission, i.e.DL transmission to be performed on the unlicensed carrier, any one ormore pieces of information from which, alone or in combination, thenecessary information for enabling the DL transmission on the unlicensedcarrier can be derived may be indicated to the terminal device as theindicting information.

In an embodiment, the indicating information may comprise any or anycombination of information in a group of:

information on a start of DL transmission,

information on an end of the DL transmission,

information on a duration of a TXOP,

information on the duration of the DL transmission, and

information regarding the unlicensed carrier.

In a further embodiment that the frame structure in FIG. 2(A) is adoptedand an initial signal is transmitted in the first group of timeresources, the above group may further comprise information on a startof the first group of time resources or on a start of the initialsignal.

Since DL transmission is specific to an unlicensed carrier, theunlicensed carrier on which the DL transmission is performed shall beknown to the terminal device. Therefore, the unlicensed carrier may beindicated to the terminal device. In an example, the unlicensed carriermay be explicitly indicated by including the information regarding theunlicensed carrier in the indicating information, particularly when theunlicensed carrier on which the indicating information is received isdifferent from the unlicensed carrier on which the DL transmission willbe performed. In another example, the unlicensed carrier may beimplicitly indicated, particularly when the unlicensed carrier on whichthe indicating information is received is the same as the unlicensedcarrier on which the DL transmission will be performed. In this case,the unlicensed carrier on which the DL transmission will be performedmay be implicitly determined as the unlicensed carrier on which theindicating information is received.

In an example, if the initial signal and DL data or control informationcan be correctly detected, then only the duration of the DL transmissionor the duration of TXOP needs to be indicated, from which the receivingterminal device can derive the necessary information for enabling the DLtransmission, such as the start and end of the DL transmission, whereinthe end of the DL transmission may be rounded down to a nearest symbolor subframe. Therefore, in this example, the indicating information maycomprise the information on the duration of the DL transmission or theinformation on the duration of TXOP.

For another example, if the start of the DL transmission is predefined,then the start of the initial signal and the duration of the DLtransmission or TXOP may be indicated, from which the receiving terminaldevice can derive the necessary information for enabling the DLtransmission, such as the start and end of the DL transmission.Therefore, in this example, the indicating information may comprise theinformation on the start of the initial signal, and the information onthe duration of the DL transmission or the information on the durationof TXOP.

In yet another example, the start of the initial signal, the start ofthe DL transmission and the duration of the DL transmission or TXOP maybe indicated, from which the receiving terminal device can derive thenecessary information for enabling the DL transmission, such as thestart and end of the DL transmission. Therefore, in this example, theindicating information may comprise the information on the start of theinitial signal, the information on the start of the DL transmission andthe information on the duration of the DL transmission or theinformation on the duration of TXOP.

In yet another example, the start of the DL transmission and the end ofthe DL transmission may be directly indicated. Therefore, in thisexample, the indicating information may comprise the information on thestart of the DL transmission and the information on the duration of theDL transmission.

Alternatively, some information that changes slowly or can bepredetermined, such as TXOP may be signalled to the terminal device viahigher layer signalling instead of being included in the indicatinginformation.

Furthermore, the indicating information may be signalled in a pluralityof bits, e.g. by reusing the existing DCI (Downlink Control Information)format 1C as defined in section 5.3.3 in 3GPP Technical Specification36.212 version 12.4.0. In this case, a new radio network temporaryidentifier (RNTI) may be required to differentiate the reused DCI format1C from the existing use of DCI format 1C.

Alternatively, the indicating information may be signalled with a newDCI format comprising a field that may include the indicatinginformation.

In order to efficiently utilize the limited bandwidth resource, thenumber of bits used for indicating the frame structure may be reduced assmall as possible. FIG. 5 illustrates an example of how to reduce thenumber of bits for indicating information on the start of the initialsignal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this example, it is predefined that the DL transmission shall startat symbol 11 in a subframe comprising 14 symbols. It shall beappreciated that the DL transmission may start at a different certainsymbol and the subframe may comprise less or more symbols. If theinitial signal starts at symbol 8, then there are two manners toindicate the start of the initial signal: 1) using an absolute startposition of the initial signal, i.e. the 9^(th) symbol in this subframe,which may require 4 bits to make the indication, and 2) using a relativestart position of the initial signal to the DL transmission that is adifference between the start positions of the initial signal and the DLtransmission, i.e. 3 symbols which may require 2 bits to make theindication. Obviously, using the relative start position of the initialsignal may reduce the number of the bits for indicating.

As an example, Table 1 lists some bits that may possibly be used forindicating the frame structure alone or in combination, in the reusedDCI format 1C, which may provide 15 bits for 20 MHz.

TABLE 1 Bits Indication Applicable subframe 2 or 3 the relative positionof the initial a subframe comprising the initial signal; or a signalsubframe after that subframe 4 the start of the DL transmission asubframe in which the DL transmission starts; or a subframe after thatsubframe 4 the end of the DL transmission A subframe in which the DLtransmission ends <=4 the duration of TXOP or the DL Any transmission Ndetermined by a Unlicensed carrier A subframe in which the DLtransmission number of available starts; or a subframe after thatsubframe unlicensed carriers Padding bits AnyFor DL+UL Case

Similar to the DL-only case, in order to achieve the ultimate goal ofenabling the transmission, i.e. DL and UL transmission to be performedon the unlicensed carrier, any one or more pieces of information fromwhich, alone or in combination, the necessary information for enablingthe DL and UL transmission on the unlicensed carrier can be derived, maybe indicated to the terminal device as the indicting information.

In an embodiment, the indicating information may comprise any or anycombination of information in a group of:

information on the start of DL transmission,

information on the end of the DL transmission,

information on the start of UL transmission,

information on the end of the UL transmission,

information on the duration of a TXOP,

information on the duration of the DL transmission,

information on the duration of the UL transmission, and

information on a sum of the durations of the DL transmission and ULtransmission,

information regarding the unlicensed carrier.

In a further embodiment that the frame structure in FIG. 2(B) is adoptedand an initial signal is transmitted in the first group of timeresources, the above group may further comprise information on a startof the first group of time resources or on a start of the initialsignal.

Since DL transmission and UL transmission are specific to an unlicensedcarrier, the unlicensed carrier on which the DL transmission and the ULtransmission are performed shall be known to the terminal device.Therefore, the unlicensed carrier may need to be indicated to theterminal device. For example, the unlicensed carrier may be explicitlyindicated by including the information regarding the unlicensed carrierin the indicating information or implicitly indicated as mentioned abovefor the DL-only case.

In an alternative embodiment, some information that changes slowly orcan be predetermined, such as TXOP, may be signalled to the terminaldevice via higher layer signalling. Therefore, such information may notbe included in the indicating information.

In another embodiment that a UL grant for UL scheduling can besuccessfully received at the terminal device, the UL grant may be usedto determine the start of the UL transmission. For example, the ULtransmission may be started at a boundary of a subframe after thesubframe in which the uplink grant is received at the terminal device.Particularly, if the UL grant is successfully received in subframe 1,then the UL transmission scheduled by this UL grant may start at theboundary of subframe 2, or subframe 3 etc. In this case, information onthe start of the UL transmission may not be included in the indicatinginformation.

Again, the indicating information may be signalled in a plurality ofbits, e.g. by reusing the existing DCI format 1C as defined in section5.3.3 in 3GPP Technical Specification 36.212 version 12.4.0. In thiscase, a new RNTI may be required to differentiate the reused DCI format1C from the existing use of DCI format 1C.

Alternatively, the indicating information may be signalled with a newDCI format comprising a field that may include the indicatinginformation.

Similar to the DL-only case, a relative start position of the initialsignal may also be used to reduce the number of bits for indicating theframe structure.

As an example, Table 2 lists some bits that may possibly be used forindicating the frame structure, alone or in combination, in the reusedDCI format 1C, which may provide 15 bits for 20 MHz. In this example, itis assumed that the UL transmission starts from a subframe boundary.

TABLE 2 Bits Indication Applicable subframe 2 or 3 the relative positionof the initial a subframe comprising the initial signal; or a signalsubframe after that subframe 4 the start of the DL transmission asubframe in which the DL transmission starts; or a subframe after thatsubframe 4 the end of the DL transmission a subframe in which the DLtransmission ends <=4 the duration of TXOP or the DL + UL anytransmission 4 the end position of the UL a subframe in which the ULtransmission transmission in a subframe in which ends the ULtransmission ends <=4 the subframe in which the UL the subframe in whichthe UL transmission transmission ends ends N determined by a Unlicensedcarrier A subframe in which the DL transmission number of availablestarts; or a subframe after that subframe unlicensed carriers Paddingbits Any

As another example, Table 3 lists some bits that may possibly be usedfor indicating the frame structure, alone or in combination, in thereused DCI format 1C, which may provide 15 bits for 20 MHz. In thisexample, it is assumed that the UL transmission starts from a symbolboundary.

TABLE 3 Bits Indication Applicable subframe 2 or 3 the relative positionof the initial a subframe comprising the initial signal; or a signalsubframe after that subframe 4 the start of the DL transmission asubframe in which the DL transmission starts; or a subframe after thatsubframe 4 the end of the DL transmission a subframe in which the DLtransmission ends 4 the start position of the UL a subframe in which theUL transmission transmission in a subframe in which starts the ULtransmission starts <=4 the subframe in which the UL the subframe inwhich the UL transmission transmission starts starts 4 the end positionof the UL a subframe in which the UL transmission transmission in asubframe in which ends the UL transmission ends <=4 the subframe inwhich the UL the subframe in which the UL transmission transmission endsends <=4 the duration of TXOP or the DL + UL any transmission Ndetermined by a Unlicensed carrier A subframe in which the DLtransmission number of available starts; or a subframe after thatsubframe unlicensed carriers Padding bits AnyFor UL-Only Case

Similar to the DL-only or DL+UL case, in order to achieve the ultimategoal of enabling the transmission, i.e. UL transmission to be performedon the unlicensed carrier, any one or more pieces of information fromwhich, alone or in combination, the necessary information for enablingthe UL transmission on the unlicensed carrier can be derived, may beindicated to the base station as the indicting information.

In an embodiment, the indicating information may comprise any or anycombination of information in a group of:

information on the start of uplink transmission,

information on the end of the uplink transmission,

information on the duration of a TXOP, and

information on the duration of the UL transmission.

In a further embodiment that the frame structure in FIG. 2(C) is adoptedand an initial signal is transmitted in the first group of timeresources, the above group may further comprise information on a startof the first group of time resources or on a start of the initialsignal.

In another embodiment that a UL grant for UL scheduling can besuccessfully received by the terminal device, the UL grant may be usedto determine the start of the UL transmission. Therefore, information onthe start of the UL transmission may not be included in the indicatinginformation.

The indicating information may be signalled periodically oraperiodiacally in a plurality of bits, for example on PUCCH.

Similar to the DL-only or DL+UL case, a relative start position of theinitial signal may also be used to reduce the number of bits forindicating the frame structure.

As an example, Table 4 lists some bits that may possibly be used forindicating the frame structure, alone or in combination.

TABLE 4 Bits Indication Applicable subframe 2 or 3 the relative positiona subframe comprising the initial signal; of the initial or a subframeafter that subframe signal 4 the start of the UL a subframe in which theUL transmission transmission starts; or a subframe after that subframe<=4 the duration of any TXOP or the UL transmission 4 the end of the ULa subframe in which the UL transmission transmission ends Padding Anybits

Now reference is made back to FIG. 4. Optionally, the method 400 mayalso comprise determining availability of the unlicensed carrier in theunlicensed spectrum at step 401 and reserving a time period on theunlicensed carrier upon the unlicensed carrier is determined to beavailable at step 402. The reserved time period may be the same as thereservation period mentioned above.

According to the above various embodiments, there is provided a feasiblemethod 400 for indicating a frame structure applicable for transmissionover the unlicensed spectrum between communicating parties, so that thetransmission can be performed over the unlicensed spectrum according tothat frame structure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 600 forperforming transmission between a base station and a terminal deviceaccording to a frame structure over an unlicensed spectrum in a wirelessnetwork in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Thewireless network supports communications over both a licensed spectrumand the unlicensed spectrum, which means the base station and theterminal device are operable in both the licensed spectrum and theunlicensed spectrum. The apparatus 600 may be embodied at or as at leasta part of the base station or the terminal device.

Particularly, the apparatus 600 comprises a signaling unit 610 and atransmission performing unit 620.

The signalling unit 610 is configured to signal information indicatingthe frame structure. The transmission performing unit 620 is configuredto perform transmission between the base station and the terminal deviceon an unlicensed carrier in the unlicensed spectrum according to theframe structure.

In an embodiment, the signaling unit 610 may be configured to signal theinformation indicating the frame structure on a licensed carrier in thelicensed spectrum.

In an alternative embodiment, the signaling unit 610 may be configuredto signal the information indicating the frame structure on theunlicensed carrier.

In another embodiment, the information indicating the frame structuremay comprise any or any combination of information in a group of:

information on a start of downlink transmission,

information on an end of the downlink transmission,

information on a duration of an allowed maximum transmission timeperiod,

information on the duration of the downlink transmission, and

information regarding the unlicensed carrier.

In a further embodiment, the group may also comprise any or anycombination of:

information on a start of uplink transmission,

information on an end of the uplink transmission,

information on the duration of the uplink transmission, and

information on a sum of the durations of the downlink transmission andthe uplink transmission.

In yet another embodiment, the UL transmission may be started at aboundary of a subframe after the subframe in which an uplink grant isreceived at the terminal device. Thus, information on the start of theUL transmission may not be included in the information indicating theframe structure.

In yet another embodiment, the signaling unit 610 may be configured tosignal the information indicating the frame structure by reusing the DCIformat 1C.

In yet another embodiment, the signaling unit 610 may be configured tosignal the information indicating the frame structure by using a new DCIformat that comprises a field including the information indicating theframe structure.

In an alternative embodiment, the information indicating the framestructure may comprise any or any combination of information in a groupof:

information on a start of uplink transmission,

information on an end of the uplink transmission,

information on a duration of the uplink transmission, and

information on the duration of an allowed maximum transmission timeperiod.

In another embodiment, the method may further comprise a determiningunit 630 that is configured to determine availability of the unlicensedcarrier in the unlicensed spectrum and a reserving unit 640 that isconfigured to reserve a time period on the unlicensed carrier upon theunlicensed carrier is determined to be available. In this embodiment,the group as mentioned in above embodiments may further compriseinformation on a start of the reserved time period and/or an end of thereserved time period.

The above units 610-640 may be configured to implement the correspondingoperations or steps as described with reference to FIGS. 4-6. Allfeatures with regard to the frame structure indication described abovein relation to method 400 are equally applicable to the apparatus 600and thus will not be detailed herein for the sake of brevity.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 700 forperforming transmission between a base station and a terminal deviceaccording to a frame structure over an unlicensed spectrum in a wirelessnetwork in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Thewireless network supports communications over both a licensed spectrumand the unlicensed spectrum, which means the base station and theterminal device are operable in both the licensed spectrum and theunlicensed spectrum. The apparatus 700 may be embodied at or as at leastpart of the base station or the terminal device.

In FIG. 7, units in blocks with a solid line are essential while unitsin blocks with a broken line are optional depending on variousimplementations of the present disclosure.

The apparatus 700 comprises at least one processor 710, such as a dataprocessor (DP) and at least one memory (MEM) 720 coupled to theprocessor 710. The apparatus 700 may further comprise a transmitter TXand receiver RX 730 coupled to the processor 710 for establishingwireless communications with other apparatuses. The MEM 720 stores aprogram (PROG) 740. A combination of the at least one processor 710 andthe at least one MEM 720 may form processing means 750 adapted toimplement some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The PROG 740 may include instructions that, when executed on theassociated processor 710, enable the apparatus 700 to operate inaccordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, for exampleto perform the method 400 as described with reference to FIG. 4.Alternatively, the processing means 750 may be adapted to implement someembodiments of the present disclosure as described with reference toFIG. 4.

The MEM 720 may be of any type suitable to the local technicalenvironment and may be implemented using any suitable data storagetechnology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memorydevices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memoryand removable memory, as non-limiting examples.

The processors 710 may be of any type suitable to the local technicalenvironment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers,special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processorsDSPs and processors based on multicore processor architecture, asnon-limiting examples.

In addition, the present disclosure may also provide a carriercontaining the computer program as mentioned above, wherein the carrieris one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, orcomputer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage mediumcan be, for example, an optical compact disk or an electronic memorydevice like a RAM (random access memory), a ROM (read only memory),Flash memory, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, DVD, Blue-ray disc and the like.

The techniques described herein may be implemented by various means sothat an apparatus implementing one or more functions of a correspondingapparatus described with an embodiment comprises not only prior artmeans, but also means for implementing the one or more functions of thecorresponding apparatus described with the embodiment and it maycomprise separate means for each separate function, or means that may beconfigured to perform two or more functions. For example, thesetechniques may be implemented in hardware (one or more apparatuses),firmware (one or more apparatuses), software (one or more modules), orcombinations thereof. For a firmware or software, implementation may bemade through modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) thatperform the functions described herein.

Exemplary embodiments herein have been described above with reference toblock diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods and apparatuses.It will be understood that each block of the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implementedby various means including computer program instructions. These computerprogram instructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer,special purpose computer, or other programmable data processingapparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions which executeon the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus createmeans for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block orblocks.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of anyimplementation or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions offeatures that may be specific to particular embodiments of particularimplementations. Certain features that are described in thisspecification in the context of separate embodiments can also beimplemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures that are described in the context of a single embodiment canalso be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in anysuitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be describedabove as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed assuch, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some casesbe excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may bedirected to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as thetechnology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in variousways. The above described embodiments are given for describing ratherthan limiting the disclosure, and it is to be understood thatmodifications and variations may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the disclosure as those skilled in the artreadily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered tobe within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims. Theprotection scope of the disclosure is defined by the accompanyingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a base station, the methodcomprising: transmitting first information to a user equipment (UE);determining second information, wherein the first information indicatesa start position and a duration of a Physical Uplink Control Channel(PUCCH) transmission, and the second information indicates a timeduration of an uplink transmission that is performed based on a channelaccess procedure, wherein the time duration starts after a first channelis sensed to be idle and after a reserved time duration, and wherein thetime duration is a duration of time that precedes the start position ofthe PUCCH transmission; and receiving the PUCCH transmission and theuplink transmission on the first channel.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the first information indicates the start position interms of a symbol in time domain.
 3. The method according to claim 1,further comprising transmitting third information indicating first nsymbols in a subframe occupied by a downlink transmission, wherein othersymbols in the subframe are not occupied.
 4. The method according toclaim 3, wherein the third information is transmitted by using adownlink control information (DCI) format.
 5. A base station comprising:a transceiver configured to: transmit first information to a userequipment (UE); determine second information, wherein the firstinformation indicates a start position and a duration of a PhysicalUplink Control Channel (PUCCH) transmission, and the second informationindicates a time duration of an uplink transmission that is performedbased on a channel access procedure, wherein the time duration startsafter a first channel is sensed to be idle and after a reserved timeduration, and wherein the time duration is a duration of time thatprecedes the start position of the PUCCH transmission; and receive thePUCCH transmission and the uplink transmission on the first channel. 6.The base station according to claim 5, wherein the first informationindicates the start position in terms of a symbol in time domain.
 7. Thebase station according to claim 5, wherein the transceiver is furtherconfigured to transmit third information indicating first n symbols in asubframe occupied by a downlink transmission, wherein other symbols inthe subframe are not occupied.
 8. A method performed by a user equipment(UE), the method comprising: receiving first information from a basestation; determining second information, wherein the first informationindicates a start position and a duration of a Physical Uplink ControlChannel (PUCCH) transmission, and the second information indicates atime duration of an uplink transmission that is performed based on achannel access procedure, wherein the time duration starts after a firstchannel is sensed to be idle and after a reserved time duration, andwherein the time duration is a duration of time that precedes the startposition of the PUCCH transmission; and performing the PUCCHtransmission and the uplink transmission on the first channel.
 9. Themethod according to claim 8, wherein the first information indicates thestart position in terms of a symbol in time domain.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 8, further comprising receiving third informationindicating first n symbols in a subframe occupied by a downlinktransmission, wherein other symbols in the subframe are not occupied.